WORKSHOP 2010

Emotional Availability Scale (EA)

4th ed. (Biringen 2008)
 
Presenter:
Zeynep Biringen, Professor of Psychology, State University of Colorado

What is EA?

The Emotional Availability scale describes and assesses interaction between a parent and a child. The scale evaluates a parent’s ability to be present and emotionally available to her child. There are six dimensions on this scale, with four on the adult side—sensitivity, structuring, non-intrusiveness, and non-hostility; and two on the child side – responsiveness to an adult and involvement of an adult.  An asset of the EA scale is that two dimensions measure child qualities—child responsiveness to the caregiver and the child’s involvement with the caregiver, thus capturing both the adult’s and the child’s side of the relationship.  EA differs from other methods in clinical practicality and ecological validity (observations are made in as natural settings as possible). Additionally there are vast amounts of research that suggest the interaction, that EA measures, predicts secure attachment (Infant Mental Health Journal, Vol.26, Issue 4, 2005; Parenting and Science, Issue 3, 2009). The scale has been successfully used with several risk groups such as substance abusing mothers. (Biringen, Z. (2000). Emotional availability. Conseptualization and research findings. American Journal of Orthopsychiatry, 70, 104-114.)
 
Program

Professor Biringen, who has developed the EA scales, will be presenting the course in English. The course materials as well as the handbook are available in English and Finnish. The presenter will use videos of parent-child interactions to introduce the use of the scales.  Participants will take a reliability test after the course and receive individual feedback thereby allowing them to process and discuss their own observational skills with Professor Biringen. The course is aimed at professionals who work in the field of child mental health or social services. Obs. BEFORE the live course, there is a obligatory 1-day intro through webservices, i.e., self-training through www.emotionalavailability.com. AFTER the course, the Finnish group will have 2 supervisory gatherings with Saara Salo (Fall 2010).
 
Location & Time

15.-17.6. 2010/ 9am-4pm, Helsinki (Centrum, exact location will be notified later) Fee: 500 euros + 110 euros (22% tax) = 610 euros (non-refundable in case of cancellation) Payment is due in April to cover the costs of the presenter.  

Registration

Deadline 15.5.2010 by e-mail to saara.salo@iki.fi (Please note in your registration HEADLINE; EAWORKSHOP, your full name and address, full information of the payer if other than yourself).